Madam, - The suggestion by Andrew Buroni from
RPS consultants, at the hearing on the proposed Ringsend incinerator
(April 27th), that the local community may benefit from health gains
from having an incinerator in their area, is certainly a new slant.

The medical evidence and reports showing the
huge risks from incinerators, especially to the most vulnerable members
of our society, are well documented.

What is more insidious is the suggestion that
a community with social and economic needs is a target to be bought
off.

Where is the environmental justice when an already
underprivileged community is asked to take on a very suspect project?

Incinerators are not big employers, reuse and
recycling projects are. Why was the glass recycling plant in Ringsend
not maintained for the local community?

As for providing future heating, burning trash
is a waste of energy.

You cannot recapture all the energy you have
spent in mining, transporting, processing and manufacturing these
materials and objects, but you can save on some of this energy by
reusing and recycling.

Also, dirty industry attracts more dirty industry,
which doesn't add to the positive regeneration of an area.

Offering people a community gain fund is bribery
to force a community to accept what no one else wants.

The people of Ringsend have a right to a safe,
clean environment to raise their families and support the vulnerable
members of their community.

Mr Buroni works for RPS, a firm responsible for
several of this country's waste management plans, national and county,
which promote incineration.

One of the directors of RPS has been appointed
to the board of An Bord Pleanála which leaves us again questioning
the independence and integrity of the board. - Yours, etc,